Yes, I posted this elsewhere last week. My daughter took a small, zippered Bible to BCT two years ago. It was not confiscated and cadre did not go through it. She took two small family photos tucked in the pages and it was never an issue.

agreed with Raimius. There are certain things during basic and throughout four degree year that its just up to you to follow. Some one can't be watching over you every second to make sure you're doing what you're supposed to. Some rules are more important to people than other rules, or are more important to some people than other people. it really just comes down to how much it means to you.

Just remember at USAFA:
"We will not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does."
and in the Active Duty Air Force:
"Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do."

I know in enlisted tech school, there were times where we were "left alone" to follow the rules on our own. For the most part, we did pretty good. There were times, however, that our marching would be sloppy, we would take shortcuts in getting in formation, and some other small things when we thought no one was looking. On day, this MSgt, our flight chief, sat down with us and talked to us about integrity and told us about what we were doing wrong. Remember that your four degree year, the rest of the time at USAFA, and your entire time in the Air Force. It doesn't matter who is watching, the rule is there. =D

I apologize. Eagle 36 and Raimus are both correct -- it is best not to go into the Academy evading any of the rules. I agree. My point was -- yes, you can take a Bible to Basic with you and it will not be confiscated or inspected by the cadre. You will be able to attend religious services during Basic -- if that fits with your belief system -- and many cadets find those religious services to be a support system during Basic. You should go into the Academy planning to and trying to accept the rules and regulations of the Academy. We did not send our daughter a single photo during Basic -- we wrote to her every day -- her friends wrote to her with envelopes that we provided at her going away party. My intent was not to suggest that any cadet should go into the Academy with the mind set that they can get over on the rules. Sorry for giving that impression. She is now a rising 2nd Class and will be one of those cadre at (first) Basic. Two years will pass in a flash -- the things that seem like a huge issue now -- will seem manageable two years from now.

Bringing a few pictures in your bible is not a big deal... If anything I regret not bringing them, because 1) they would have helped and 2) MOST of the people in my squad did. I guarantee bringing a picture or two will not make you "lose sight of the core values" or whatever other buzz words people wanna throw at you.

academania, we're not saying that bringing pictures will make you a terrible person and a pathetic officer. We're simply pointing out that you're not supposed to bring them. Period. Honestly, it's 6 weeks. It's not that hard to get through that, and really only 3 at a time because halfway through you call home anyway. Yes, cadets break rules and become cynical, but it's only passed on because upperclassmen pass it along. I can't even count how many three degs start telling four degs how to cut corners and cheat the system the minute the acceptance parade is over. It's really sad.

Now, I am by no way saying that I was perfect or anything to the sort, but the point is rules are there for a reason and it's a cadets job to follow them whether they agree with or understand them or not.

academania, we're not saying that bringing pictures will make you a terrible person and a pathetic officer. We're simply pointing out that you're not supposed to bring them. Period. Honestly, it's 6 weeks. It's not that hard to get through that, and really only 3 at a time because halfway through you call home anyway. Yes, cadets break rules and become cynical, but it's only passed on because upperclassmen pass it along. I can't even count how many three degs start telling four degs how to cut corners and cheat the system the minute the acceptance parade is over. It's really sad.

Now, I am by no way saying that I was perfect or anything to the sort, but the point is rules are there for a reason and it's a cadets job to follow them whether they agree with or understand them or not.

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What is funny is that I'm not even there and people are telling me how to cut corners and get away with things already... I shadowed a cadet, and when I was there, they gave me the full rundown already. They told me to take 2 phones to the prep school, and when they ask for phones, give them the dummy phone... It's not hard... They give you a nice laptop... with a web cam... just use skype... xD

Yeah, Eagle, you're right. All in all here, it's usually best to just follow the rules. Every now and then there will be opportunities in which you're pretty much supposed to break the rules (quad rave, hall brawl, etc.) For the most part, however, you should never pass up a good opportunity to keep your mouth shut and just do what you're supposed to. The rule about not bringing pictures to basic just tweaks me the wrong way. You'll be just fine without them though.